Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts
Plain directions from Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 37 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to the MFA
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Ashmont.
- Ride 5 stops, about 12 min, through Central, Kendall/MIT, Charles/MGH and Park Street, and get off at Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 5 stops, about 7 min, through Chinatown, Tufts Medical Center, Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue, and get off at Ruggles.
- Walk about 10 min to Museum of Fine Arts. Use the Northeastern, Forsyth St exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Park Street, then the Green Line toward Heath Street to Museum of Fine Arts, and walk about 3 min: about 40 min.
- Take bus 1 to Massachusetts Ave opp Christian Science Ctr, and walk about 14 min: about 41 min.
Which one is faster depends on when you leave. Cobblehop compares them with live times and gives you the one that gets you there first.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 4:57 am | 1:20 am | Every 5 min | About 37 min |
| Friday | 4:57 am | 2:19 am | Every 5 min | About 37 min |
| Saturday | 4:32 am | 2:18 am | Every 7 min | About 38 min |
| Sunday | 5:55 am | 1:11 am | Every 8 min | About 38 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Harvard, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Red Line (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:48 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:18 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:11 am. Late at night, ask Cobblehop for the last trip. It checks live times and tells you when to leave.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get to the door after Massachusetts Avenue. The next stop is Ruggles. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Downtown Crossing. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- The MFA is on Huntington Avenue. The Green Line E branch stops at Museum of Fine Arts station, right in front of the museum.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard, Downtown Crossing and Ruggles) as accessible. Downtown Crossing has 6 elevators in MBTA data. Elevators do break, so check the MBTA's elevator alerts before you go.
What it costs
- Subway. $2.40 one way. Changing between subway lines is free.
- How to pay. Tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone or watch at the fare gate or bus door, or use a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.
- Kids. Children 11 and under ride the MBTA free.
Fares as of October 2026. Check the MBTA's fares page before you ride.
Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 37 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts?
About 37 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min.
How often does the Red Line run?
Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 7 min on Saturdays and every 8 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:48 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:18 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:11 am.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to Fenway Park
- Harvard Square to MIT
- Back Bay Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
Official sources
Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with these agencies or operators. Schedules on this page come from MBTA/MassDOT public data. Check their pages for the latest schedules and service changes:
- MBTA: Red Line
- MBTA: Orange Line
- MBTA: Harvard station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Ruggles station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts
Published October 29, 2026. Times were computed from the fall 2026 MBTA schedule (2026-11-04 for weekdays). Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.
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